Cannot launch Acrobat 64-bit with Trend Micro antivirus running

Last updated on May 24, 2023

On trying to launch Acrobat, nothing happens. The Acrobat.exe process visible is either terminated or is stuck, but no Acrobat interface is displayed.

Reason

The error occurs on some machine running Trend Micro Antivirus software as they restrict certain operations performed by Adobe Acrobat preventing it to launch.

To fix the error, try the solutions in the order they appear below.

Solution 1: Update Trend Micro to the latest version

Update Trend Micro antivirus to the latest version. You can update Trend Micro from within its UI or from the website https://www.trendmicro.com.

Solution 2: Add Acrobat as a trusted application in Trend Micro

If updating Trend Micro doesn’t work, add the location of the Acrobat application's executable file in the exception list or trusted application list of Trend Micro antivirus. Follow the steps below.

Open the Trend Micro antivirus software.
Click Open The Main Console, and then click Device.
To modify the Security Settings, click Configure.
In the Protection Settings window, click Exception Lists.
Click Add. In the Add an item pop-up dialog, browse to the folder containing the Acrobat.exe file, and then click OK.
- Acrobat 64-bit folder path: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat\Acrobat
Acrobat is now added to the exception list of Trend Micro.